Posts tagged ‘health’

It’s one thing to be inspired by other girls and their success stories…but it’s another thing to become unhappy or dissatisfied with your own body based on what other girls look like.

As young women, we deal with this “comparison pressure” on a daily basis. Sadly, as you move forward into adulthood, you realize some women STILL are comparing themselves to others. It is completely your responsibility to learn to love yourself and respect your body.

Ever wonder how the girls we see in the beauty pageants on television muster up the strength and confidence to walk in front of a panel of judges in their bathing suits? Well, I did…so I got the scoop from this year’s America’s Miss Florida and New Jersey.

Check out what they had to say when I asked how they dealt with the pressure of being compared to other pageant contestants:

Provided by Lorenza Navarro

Provided by Olivia DeMattio

“Personally, I do not like to think that I am being compared to the other girls. In order to do my best, I try to only compare myself in terms of my own personal goals. I believe that every body shape and size is beautiful, and I choose to think that the judges will agree. There will always be a girl with rock hard abs and less body fat than me, but if I walk onto that stage just as confident and proud of my body as she does, I know I can shine just as bright.” –Lorenza Navarro, America’s Miss Florida

“What helps me deal with the pressure is just to remember that you are you, and nobody else is. Everyone is built differently, and the judges know that. I remind myself that I worked extremely hard to get my body “pageant” ready, and there will always be girls skinnier, and bigger than you on stage to. You’ve just got to work what you’ve got and show that confidence to the judges!” –Olivia DeMattio, America’s Miss New Jersey

So remember, try to never compare yourself to others! To some degree it’s normal, but if you think you are comparing yourself to other girls and it has you feeling down about your own body, then you need to work on learning to love yourself and to start being proud of your personal accomplishments! Keep in mind, if anyone actually is judging you, then they have more self value problems than they can even realize. Just focus on you! You’re all you need to feel and be happy. NB